A Parametric Approach to Performance-Based Numerical Seismic Design

Abstract

The economic losses during recent seismic events, partially a product of the inadequate performance of modern buildings, have outlined the need to improve our current seismic design procedures. Current procedures lay out the design problem considering explicitly the demand-supply pairs of strength and stiffness. These two mechanical characteristics are estimated from the same design parameter: the base shear. That is, current procedures are based on a parametric approach, and in particular, on a one-parameter approach. Although it may be desirable to keep the parametric approach, it is necessary to establish design procedures that contemplate the use of more than one design parameter, in such a way that all relevant mechanical characteristics (e.g., strength, stiffness and deformation) can be designed rationally. Although currently it is possible to formulate a parametric approach to performance-based seismic design, ambitious educational and research programs should be undertaken to make possible its practical implementation.